Timpanum
/ˈtɪm.pə.nəm/noun
An ancient Roman drum or kettle-drum, or a tympanum-like resonant surface in architecture or anatomy.
Did you know?Latin *timpanum* was borrowed from Greek *tympanon*, a drum associated with ecstatic worship, and the same ancient sound-root later gave English *tympanum* in anatomy and architecture.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
τύμπανον (týmpanon)
“A drum, tambourine, or similar percussion instrument.”
Classical Latin
Latin
timpanum / tympanum
“A drum or tambourine; later also a circular or drum-like surface.”
Late Latin
Latin
tympanum
“A drum, and by extension a drum-shaped part or membrane.”
Old French
Old French
tympan
“A drum; also a membranous or drum-like surface.”
Middle English
English
tympan
“A drum, a membrane, or a drum-like architectural space.”
Modern English
English
tympanum
“The eardrum, or a drum-like architectural or anatomical structure.”